NEWARK, N.J. -- A series of robberies targeting professional athletes has many worried they could be next.

Since last year two professional football players and two professional basketball players have been assaulted and robbed in their homes, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Sunday.

Last week, Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor was shot and killed during a botched burglary.

Athletes become targets, the newspaper said, because -- unlike anonymous wealthy businessmen -- everyone knows who they are, where they live and how much they make.

Pro athletes say they are looking into beefing up their home security by hiring guards, installing security systems and even moving, the newspaper said. And though pro leagues frown on owning guns, some say they may do it anyway.